Tire-inflater.



. Patented 1an. 28, |902. y .1. H. CHAMP. Y TIRE INFLTEFL.

(Application mea me. 7', 41900.)

3 Sheets--Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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Patented lan. 28,1902.

J. H. CHAMP.-

TIRE'M INFLATER.

(Application mea neu. 7, 1900.',

a sheets-sheet 3.

(No Modal.)

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To all whom, t uli/ry concer-n,.-`

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH H. CHAMP, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TIRE-INFLATER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,747, dated January28, 1902.

Application tiled December 7, 1900. Serial No. 39,053. (No model.) V

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. CHAMP, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State 'of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Tire-Inflaters, of which thefol-- lowing is a speciiication, the principle of the invention beingherein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applyingthat principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The object of thel invention is to provide an improved .tire-intlater,especial attention having been given to same in its iitness for use asconnected-with coin-controlled apparatus.

The nature of the invention consists of the means hereinafter described,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the yprincipleof the invention may be used.

Figure I is a vertical transverse section through the casing of themachine, but without section through the mechanism. Fig. lII is a frontelevation'of the mechanism and showing the casing in vertical section atright angles to the section ot' the preceding figure. Fig. III is adetail top plan of the twin valve mechanism and certain connectingmechanism. Fig. IV is a front elevation showing certain members of theimmediately preceding figure and having the front casing broken away.Fig. V is a detail, partly in vertical 'section and partly in sideelevation, of one of the twin valve mechanisms shown in the immediatelypreceding gure. Fig. VI is a sectional detail of a portion of thecoin-controlling mechanism. Fig. VII'is a sectional detail at rightangles to the plane in which the immediately preceding ligure is taken.Fig. VIII shows the check-valve mechanism in different views. Fig. IX isa detail'top plan of iiuid^ connections of the expansioncylindenj Fig. Xis a detail, mainly in vertical section, of fluid connections ot' theeX- pansion-cylinder. Fig. XI is a detail view, partlyinvertical sectionand partly in side elevation, ot' the automatic cut-o between theexpansion-cylinder and the tire-feed nozzle. Fig. XII is a detail View,in side elevation, showing the bbearing of the tire-feed nozzle in thecasing. Fig. XIII is a detail view in perspective of the tire-feednozzle and its connections.

The casing A may be of any suitable construction, its purpose beingtoexclude the public from access to the inclosed mechanism and also toprotect the latter from the weather. It is preferably provided at itsrear with a door a, whereby privileged access may be had to itsinterior. Two upright cylinders B C are provided, the one, B, being a'storage-cylinder of compressed carbonio-acid gas, the other, C, being anexpansion-cylinder. These two cylinders respectively communicate bytubes l) c with the -pressureregulator D, having a gage-dial d subjectto conditions adapted to automatically cause gas from thestorage-cylinder to pass under a predetermined pressure into theexpansion-cylinder.

A tube ecarries the gas from the top of expansion-cylinder C to thelower portion of valve-cylinder E, wherein communication with tubef,connected with the upper portion of said cylinder, iscontrolled by avalve having a tendency to 4be maintained in raised position by aspring, such raised position of the valve shuttingoif communicationwithin the 'valve-chamber between said tubes e and f.

The mechanism -of this valve-cylinder E is a duplicate of the mechanismof valve-cylinder G, hereinafter referred to, and the interiorconstruction of each is shown by the single view of Fig. V. Said tube fis also connected with the upper portion of an initial powerreservoir Fat one side thereof, the upper portion'ot the opposite side of suchreservoir connecting with one extremity of a tube g,` thev oppositeextremity of said tube g connecting with the lower portion ofvalve-cylinder G, such cylinder G being of construction and having aninclosed upwardly springpressed valve, such as shown in Fig. V, the

upper portion of such cylinder G connecting by tube h with thecasing-inclosed end portion of rock-tube H, which latter has itsopposite end portion projecting out through the lower portion of thefront wall ofcasing A.

Each ofthe twin valve-cylinders E and G has a pivoted angular leverwhoselower side engages with the top of a valve-stem, each such pivotallever being adapted to be depressed by a cam carried on the lower sideof horizontal slide J, the opposite end portions of the latter havingrfree sliding movement in bearing-boxesj. Said lever, stem, and camconnected withcylinder E are respectively lettered as 7o Z m, while thecorresponding members connected with cylinder G are respectivelylettered as n o p.

Rock-shaft K has a sleeve L fitted thereon and adj ustably clampedthereto by a set-screw r, such sleeve having a weighted rigid arm M.

Said sleeve is further provided with a rigid arm s, adapted to workfreely within a slot t, formed in a horizontal plate N, located beneaththe horizontal slide J. The rock-shaft is adapted to be rocked towardthe right by a rod P, which depends by pivotal connection from arm M,the lower end of such rod being connected to rigid arm fu, projectingright angularly from the casing-inclosed end portion of rock-tube H, theopposite and outer pro jecting extremity of such rock-tube beingprovided with a rigid arm tu, projecting right angularly therefrom indirection opposite to the projection of arm o, the outer extremity ofsuch arm w being provided with an upwardlyprojecting tirefeed nozzle Theinner extremity of rock-tube I-I is connected in common to the lowerextremities of the three several tubes h y e. The upper portion of tubey connects with the upper portion of chamber R, abovediaphragm a',located horizontally across said chamber. The central portion of thelower side of said diaphragm has bearing against stem b', which dependsthrough the lower portion of said chamberR, the inclosed portion of suchstem being encircled by a spiral spring o', compressed between saiddiaphragm and cap d', detachably ttinginthe lower portion of saiddiaphragmchamber. The lower end of said stem b projects below said capand has loose bearing upon the free extremity of angular lever e',pivoted to the upper portion of valve-chamber S, said lever resting inloose bearing upon valve-stem j', which projects through the top of saidvalve-chamber S. Said valve-stem has its lowerextremity connected tovalve g', which is upwardly spring-pressed by spring h and controlscommunication between the upper extremities 0f tubes z and j',communicating with said valve-chamber, respectively, at differenthorizontal points. The lower and opposite extremity of .said tube jcommunicates with the top of expansion-cylinder C. Tube h is providedwith valve mechanism l', adapted to permit gas to pass downwardlythrough same, but to prevent upward return passage of such gas.

A coin-slot m is in the upper portion of the front wall of the casingand connects with a coin-chute T. The slide J has its approximatelymiddle portion provided with a transverse receptacle n of size adaptedto receive a desired coin above the horizontal plane of` plate N, thatportion of slide J adjacent to said coin-receptacle n being'formed inopen box form p to permit the free upward projection therein of arm s.Said coin-receptacle n has its lower central portion formed with a slotr' of size suitable to permit arm s to work freely therein when there isno coin in receptacle n; but when a coin has entered receptacle n suchcoin may drop of its own weight and edgewise onto plate N and thereremain as a barrier against the passage of arm s through slot r', sucharm then bearing against the face of the coin when force is exerted torock said arm toward the right and the coin thus serving as a mechanicalmember to cause slide J to be correspondingly moved to the right untilthe coin has reached a vertical plane to the right of plate N. The cointhen, being freed from the support of said plate, falls of its owngravity into chute V and is therefrom dropped into cash-box W.

Arm s is provided at its upper left portion with a linger s' of size andshape such that the entire linger can never be to the right of thevertical plane passing through coin-receptacle n. This prevents thepossibility of a coin being introduced into said receptacle when arm sis to the right of a vertical plane passing through such receptacleunder such conditions as to prevent said arm from being readily thrownback to the left when rockshaft K is released by the bicyclist and issubject to the return action of weighted arm M. Padded bumpers X areprovided for weightY to strike against at the extremes of its movement.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The bicyclist slips asuitable coin into slot fm', whence the coin passes down along chute Tand into coin-receptacle n. He removes the cap from the nipple of hisWheel-tire and places the latter on the tire-feed nozzle az, with theopened nipple fitting in the open end of such nozzle, the mouth of thelatter being of size and shape adapted to effect substantially agas-tight joint with such open nipple of a Wheel-tire. The weight of theWheel causes rock-tube H to rock to the right, so as to move rod Pupwardly, thereby causing arm M to rock the shaft K to the right andcause arm s to bear against the coin in receptacle n', so as to throwslide J toward the right, thereby causing cam m to be disengaged fromlever 7c, so as to permit the upward spring-pressed valve in cylinder Eto rise and close communication between tubes e and f, andsimultaneously therewith cam p depresses lever n, which latter depressesthe upwardly spring-pressed valve in cylinder G, thereby establishingcommunication between tubes g and h. Communication of gas from initialpower-reservoir F being had, through tube g and valve-chamber G, withtubeh by reason of said movement of slide J toward the right, such gasunder pressure passes into rock-tubel'l. At the same time the gas passeschamber R, thereby depressing diaphragm a and causing stem b to depresslever e', the .latter depressing stem f', which depresses valve g',thereby causing tubes j' .zand valve-chamber S topermiteXpansion-cylinder C to be in open communication with rock-tube H.The tire is thereupon inllated to such full degree of pressure as thebicyclist may desire, whereupon he lifts his wheel from the nozzle Theweight Y is then suiiicient to rock they shaft K toward the left, at thesame time carrying rod P downwardly and rocking the tube H so as tobring arm w again into horizontal position. Such rocking of shaft Kthrows slide .I toward the left as arm s bears against the left wall ofbox-opening p. Cam p is thereby disengaged from lever fn, so as topermit the upwardly-spring-pressed valve in cylinder G torise and closecommunication between tubes g and h,and simultaneously therewith cammdepresseslever k, which latter depresses the upwardly-spring-pressedvalve of cylinder E, thereby establishing communication between tubes eand f. Gas thereupon passes from expansion -cylinder C into the initialpower-reservoir F, lling the latter and also tube g, leading therefromto cylinder G; but byreason of the communication being closed betweentubes g. and h the gas is maintained under pressure in the initialpowerreservoir F until a further proper coin is in- Y serted in thecoin-slot, whereupon the operation heretofore described is repeated.

The invention accomplishes the valuable result of rendering it necessarythat before Y gas can be taken from the tire-feed nozzle to inflate anycertain tire a corresponding coin must be introduced in the coin-slot.No tire can be fraudulently filled from the machine. The diaphragm a issufficiently relieved from gas-pressure upon its surface immediatelyupon the removal of one tire from the tirefeed nozzle, which removaldestroys the pressure existing in the tube y when the tire is on saidnozzle, .so that the valve g thereupon instantaneously closescommunication between tubes a' and j', thus rendering it impossible forgas to again pass from expansioncylinder C through the latter tubes intorocktube H until a further coin has been deposited in the coin-slot andthe previously-described operation repeated.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any-one of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claimas my inventionl.The combination of a large Huid-chamber, a small fluid-chamber, a thirdchamber and a movable member therein, a tire-feed device, two Huid-ways,one of said ways providing fluid communication between said smallchamber and said third chamber and having a valve which controls'saidcommunication, the other one of said ways providing duid communicationlbetween said large chamber and said tire-feed device and having a valvewhich controls said communication, a mechanical connection between thelatter valve and said movable member insaid third.v chamber,substantially as set forth.

2.l The combination of a large fluid-chamber, a small fluid-chamber, atire-feed device, a iiuid-way providing iluid communication between saidlarge chamber and said tire-feed device and having a valve whichcontrols said communication, a diaphragm mechanically connected withsaid valve, a chamber within which said diaphragm is located, afluid-way providing iuid communication between saidy lsmall fluidchamber and said diaphragmchamber and having a valve which controls saidcommunication', substantially as set forth.

The combination of a large duid-chamber, a small fluid-chamber, a thirdchamber and a movable member therein, a tire-feed device, threefluid-ways, one of said ways providing iiuid communication between Isaidlarge and small chambers and having a valve which-controls saidcommunication, another one of said ways providing fluid com munica-Ition. between said small chamber and said third chamber and having avalve which controls said communication, the remaining one of said waysproviding fluid communication between saidlarge chamber and saidtirefeed deviceA and having a valve which controls said communication, amechanical connection between the latter valve and said movable memberin said third chamber, sub

stantially as set forth.

IOO

4. The combination of a large iiuid-cham- I ber, a small fluid-chamber,a tire-feed device, a fluid-way providing iiuid communication betweensaid large chamber :and said tirefeed device and having a valve whichcontrols said communication, a movable member mechanically connectedwith said valve, a chamber within which said movable member is located,a duid-way providing fluid communication betweensaid small fluid-chamberand said tire-feed device and said movablemember chamber and having avalve lwhich controls said communication as between said smallfluid-chamber on the one hand and lsaid tire-feed device and saidmovable-member chamber on the other hand, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a large duid-'chamber,a small fluid-chamber,athirdchamber and a diaphragm therein, a tire-feed device,'fourfluid-ways, onevof said ways providing-fluid communication between saidlarge and's'mall chambers and having a valve which controls saidcommunication, a second one "of said ways providing iiuid communicationbetween IIO saidfsmallchamber and said tire-feed device and having avalve which controls said communication, a third one of said waysproviding communication between said tire-feed device and saiddiaphragm-chamber, a fourth one of said ways providing fluidcommunication between said large chamber and said tire-feed device andhaving a valve which controls said communication, a mechanicalconnection between the latter valve and said diaphragm, substantially asset forth.

6. The combination of a fluid-chamber, a movable tire-feed device, afluid-way providing fluid communication between said chamber and saidmovable tire-feed device and having a valve which controls saidcommunication, a movable member mechanically connected with said valve,a chamber within which said movable member is located,a fluidwayproviding fluid communication between said movable-member chamber and asource of Huid-supply and having a valve which controls saidcommunication, mechanism connecting said movable tire-feed device andsaid last-named valve whereby movement of said tire-feed device operatessaid last-named valve, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of a large fluid-chamber, a small fluid-chamber, afluid-way which provides fluid communication between said chambers andhas a valve which controls said communication, a movable tire-feeddevice, a fluid-Way which provides fluid communication between saidsmall chamber and said movable tire-feed device and has a valve,mechanism connecting said movable tire-feed device and said two valves,said members constructed substantially as set forth whereby movement ofsaid tire-feed device operates said valves, substantially as set forth.

S. The combination of a large fluid-chamber, a small Huid-chamber; athird chamber and a movable member therein, a movable tire-feed device,two fluid-ways, one of said ways providing fluid communication betweensaid small chamber and said third chamber and having a valve whichcontrols said communication, the other one of said ways providing fluidcommunication between said large chamber and said movable tire-feeddevice and having a valve which controls said communication, amechanical connection between the latter valve and said movable memberin said third chamber, mechanism connecting said movable tire-feeddevice and said valve which controls iiuid communication between saidsmall chamber and said third chamber whereby movement of said tire-feeddevice operates said last-named valve, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a large fluid-chamber, a small Huid-chamber, amovable tirefeed device, a fluid-way providing fluid communicationbetween said large chamber and said movable tire-feed device and havinga valve which controls said communication, a diaphragm mechanicallyconnected with said valve,a chamber within which said diaphragmislocated, a fluid-way providing iiuid communication between said smallfluid-chamber and said diaphragm-chamber and having a valve whichcontrols said communication, mechanism connecting said movable tire-feeddevice and said last-named valve whereby movement of said tire-feeddevice operates said last-named valve, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a large fluid-chamber, a small Huid-chamber, amovable tirefeed device, a fluid-way providing iiuid communicationbetween said large chamber and said movable tire-feed device and havinga valve which controls said communication, a movable member mechanicallyconnected with said valve, a chamber within which said movable member islocated, a fluid-way providing fluid communication between said smallfluid-chamber and said tire-feed device and said movable-member chamberand having a valve which controls said communication as between saidsmall fluid-chamber on the one hand and said tire-feed device and saidmovable-member chamber on the other hand, mechanism connecting saidmovable tire-feed device and said last-named valve whereby movement ofsaid tire-feed device operates said last-named valve, substantially asset forth.

1l. The combination of a large fluid-chamber, a small fluid-chamber, athird chamber and a movable member therein, a movable tire-feed device,three fluid-ways, one of said ways providing fluid communication betweensaid large and small chambers and having a valve which controls saidcommunication, anotherone of said ways providing fluid communicationbetween said small chamber and said third chamber and having a valvewhich controls said communication, the remaining one of said waysproviding iiuid communication between said large chamber and saidtirefeed device and having a valve which controls said communication, amechanical connection between the latter valve and said movable memberin said third chamber, mechanism connecting said movable tire-feeddevice and said valve which controls fluid communication between saidlarge and .small chambers whereby movement of said tire-feed deviceoperates said last-named valve, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of a large fluid-chamber, a small Huid-chamber, athird chamber and a movable member therein, a movable tire-feed devi'ce,four fluid-ways, one of said ways providing fluid communication betweensaid large and small chambers and having a valve which controls saidcommunication, a second one of said ways providing fluid communicationbetween said small chamber and said movable tire-feed device and havinga valve which controls said communication, a third one of said waysproviding communication between said movable tire-feed device and saidthird chamber, a fourth one of said ways providing fluid communicationbetween IIO said large chamber and said tire-feed device tire-feeddevice operates said tWorst-named `and having a valve which controlssaid com- Valves, substantially as set forth. f munication, a mechanicalconnection between Signed by me this 5th day of December,1900. Y thelatter Valve and said movable member in 3 said third chamber, mechanismconnecting Attest:

said movable tire-feeddeviee and said two` THOS. B. HALL, rst-namedValves whereby movement of said D. T. DAVIES.

JOSEPH H. CHAMP.v

